TD-LTE Design and Test Equipment

TD LTE also known as LTE TDD (Long Term Evolution Time Division Duplex) is part of the 3GPP specifications for the next generation cellular technology. In China, TD-LTE will be an evolution from TD-SCDMA and will provide for asymmetric needs of mobile data usage and allow use of unpaired spectrum.

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) announced a memorandum of understanding has been signed with the China Academy of Telecommunication Research (Telecommunication Metrology Center), or CATR (TMC). The two organizations have agreed to work together on TD-LTE MIMO over-the-air (OTA) test research.

This is a demonstration of a 2x2 LTE MIMO system configuration where the Keysight 89600 VSA software and Keysight N9020A MXA signal analyzers are used to make an LTE MIMO composite EVM measurement. (Youtube video, 4.43min)

The test development is based on the 3GPP LTE specifications, Innofidei’s TD-LTE test requirements, included Agilent’s N5182A signal generator and N9020A signal analyzer and followed the 3GPP LTE standard chapter 6 and 7 TX / RX characteristics.

Link to April 9, 2009 Microwave Journal editorial. Test equipment manufacturers are providing more capability by relying on the latest hardware and software for feature-rich and easy to use solutions with impressive raw performance.